Hi Netty, OK, You have me drooling over your beauties! You know I am a true Hosta addict? I have so many, and can always find room for another. I have not gone nutty this year though, I've been a good girl and have not spent much on plants. (get so many freebies from work) Also I have been less than impressed with my local nursery's selections this year... I think June may be one of my favs at least right now. Hosta "June" ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) I have not had much trouble with slugs this year, but I use the saucer of beer, and always have good luck.
Ohh, that one is on my wish list as I was born in June (any excuse for a new Hosta ) that is a real beauty! I found the selection at my regular places rather lame this year too.
Hey hosta lovers! I just read an interesting talk by the hosta breeder Tony Advent of Plants Delight Nursery in N.C.: "6 Lessons about Hosta". He talks about what makes blue hosta blue, which ones keep their blue color longest into the season & why, what makes them green/yellow, etc. It is a short article and worth reading. http://awaytogarden.com/things-i-didnt- ... ony-avent/ In case the link gets edited out (I am never sure of the rules on this site), you can find it on the website 'Margaret A Way to Garden' & searching under hosta. Netty--BTW this Tony guy comments that unless a hosta he breeds is easily recognizable as being different from any already on the market, he doesn't bother with it. Good philosophy, huh? There are far too many that look like dozens already available.
I envy those who have controlled the slugs. I was picking some young ones off my greens this morning. Some of my hostas seem quite slug prone but others must not be so tasty. Patriot is one of my takes everything hostas and is very stable (I have a few that have changed) and looks the same today as when I got it. CM can't wait to read your article Patriot ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Here is one that changed. I began reading about mutated plants. Very interesting seeing it happen in the garden. June, and a mutated June in background ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Can you read the label? Regal splendor ?? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Paul's Glory on left and previous hosta on right ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Love the size in this blue. It will eventually make a border on this bed. Fragrant Blue, can't wait to smell the flowers ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Fragrant bouquet ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Sum and substance ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) I love the huge variation is sizes. Here is a smaller one. Read tag? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) I have a lot of blues. Love the lighter foliage in the shade. Bressingham blue in fore ground in back ground a big and beautiful Noid blue hosta ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Maybe you can read the tag? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) My only yellow King tut ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Now for the minis. I decided pots were the only way they would survive the six inch slugs. Pot with noid, Pandora's box, chartreuse wiggles ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) .minis bountiful and hi ho silver ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) First frost and blue mouse ears. A last little thrift show find ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )
6 inch slugs??? UGH! You have some real beauties there Jewell. A few of those I have, a few are on my wish list and I've just discovered the mini's. I think I have just added 'Chartreuse Wiggles' to my wish list Cayuga - Thanks for that article .. interesting read. I am the same way ... I will not buy a Hosta that looks the same or very similar to one I already have. I'm always looking for different sizes, colors, textures, variegations ... I guess that's why I have just fallen in love with the mini's
I know this is an old post but I found some little pips poking out of the ground this afternoon and it got me all excited! Also, I bought some seeds off of Etsy about 2 weeks ago or so. There were probably 25-35 seeds (only a dollar or two) and I sprinkled them on a damp paper towel and stuck it in a ziplock bag then sat it on a heat mat...I HAVE BABIES!!! So far 7 have germinated and I put them in their own little pot inside a seed starting tray I am crazy about these interesting plants. I wish we had more shade in our yard so I could plant more hostas, columbines and foxgloves. The hellebores I planted last fall bloomed this year-I am so proud
Sorry I can't post pictures of the few Hostas I have Netty. The slugs and snails get to them before they have a chance to look good. I would love to have some of the ones you all have - especially your White Feather Netty. Once we redo the waterfall area I'll try a few slug resistant kinds and see how I get on.
Some wonderful hostas here and no slug damage in sight - how do you all do it. I have tried growing mine in pots and putting the copper tape around the pot but they still seem to get to them By the end of the summer they looked like lace curtains I love your 'white feather' Netty, not seen that one before.
That is so exciting! Always interesting to see what they grow into! "White Feather' isn't one I would recommend as a slug resistant variety Eileen, what you need are the blue and waxy varieties. Funny this topic came up this morning ... I bought myself 3 new varieties at the garden show yesterday ... all minis! 'Grand Prize' is the largest of the 3, growing as tall as 12" Masquarade will grow to 6" And finally 'Thumbelina', that will grow to 10" A friend and I choose these as they can be split already, getting us both 3 new varieties for half the cost
That's a pity Netty as I love the White Feather as I was hoping it would be a nice foil for the darker ones. I certainly don't want to encourage the slugs though so I'll take your advice and go for some blue and waxy ones when we finished the waterfall area.
There were several different Hosta vendors at the show I went to on the weekend. The one I bought those from, as it turns out, is only 30 minutes from my house and they carry many, many more types of minis (and others!) there. I didn't even know they were there and I see a trip to their farm in the near future
I had a total of 16 seeds germinate! The ones I planted in little peat pots last Saturday are starting to poke up through the soil!
I love, love, love all hostas. Your pix are great. I only have a few that in just bought. I bought white feather, can't wait until it leafs out.
This is my favorite hosta, also the rabbits favorite. This year I am going to be stingy and not share. The rabbit can find his own hosta. Jerry
